Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Precision Medicine

Credit Points: 12.00

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities. 

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption. 

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209. 

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus. 

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance. 



Course Coordinator: N/A

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: @rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study

You should have satisfactorily completed BIOL2262 Genetics and Molecular Biology before you commence this course. 

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course, contact your course coordinator. 

Note: it is a condition of enrolment at RMIT that you accept responsibility for ensuring that you have completed the prerequisite/s and agree to concurrently enrol in co-requisite courses before enrolling in a course. 

For your information go to RMIT Course Requisites webpage. 


Course Description

Precision medicine allows healthcare to be adapted to each individual for personalised disease prevention and treatment. In this course you will learn how recent advances in genomics, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, and novel biotechnologies are being used to optimise an individual’s health management. You will be introduced to the fields of genetic testing and pharmacogenomics, and learn how stem cells are being used for cellular therapy, the generation of patient-derived organoids and organ-on-a-chip systems for predicting individual responses to drugs and other stimuli. You will explore how these modern technologies are translated from the research laboratory bench to patient treatments.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 
This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following programs:  

BP231 Bachelor of Biomedical Science 

  • PLO 1: Apply a breadth and depth of biomedical science knowledge, concepts and evidence in various real world settings using a scientific approach. 
  • PLO 2: Apply systematic thinking and a range of high-level analytical skills using a blend of digital and traditional tools and technologies to solve complex scientific and medical problems related using a biomedical perspective. 
  • PLO 4: Communicate and collaborate with diverse audiences utilising contemporary and traditional formats employing integrity, inclusivity and culturally safe practices. 
  • PLO 5: Demonstrate critical reflection skills, responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional practice as part of a multidisciplinary team 

For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.


Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:   

1. Describe basic genetic concepts of gene expression, mutation, and genetic inheritance and how they impact precision medicine.
2. Discuss the principles of risk determination and provide examples of how genetic testing is currently used to inform medical management.
3. Critically analyse the benefits and limitations of current and emerging genomics and pharmacogenomicsin modern health care.
4. Communicate to peers the multidisciplinary processes by which targeted therapies are developed, from drug discovery, through clinical trials, to regulatory approval and application.  


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both. 

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course Site. 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through Canvas and the RMIT Student website. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the RMIT Student website. 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks:

Assessment Task 1: Quizzes 
Weighting 20%  
This assessment task supports CLO 1, CLO 3 

Assessment Task 2: Workshop reports 
Weighting  30% 
This assessment task supports CLOs 2, 3.  

Assessment Task 3: End of semester test 
Weighting 50%  
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4.  

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.